Perform EU

Opened

Programme Category

EU Competitive Programmes

Programme Name

Creative Europe (CREA)

Programme Description

The Creative Europe Programme supports the culture and audiovisual sectors.

Programme Details

Identifier Code

CREA-CULT-2026-PERFORM-EU

Call

Perform EU

Summary

The specific objective of this action is to test and implement innovative models through changemaker projects, to rethink touring in the performing arts in a more sustainable, inclusive, diverse and balanced way.

This action addresses applicants that are active in the performing arts sector and have a high sectorial, sub-sectorial representativity and geographical coverage.

Detailed Call Description

In line with the current cultural policy priorities, applicants should propose a project contributing to:

  1. Overarching EU priorities

Applicants must describe in their application how, in the design and implementation of their project, they intend to contribute to the EU’s efforts in terms of greening and digital transitions and respond to the priorities of inclusion and gender equality as well as the international dimension and in the case of this call to support performing arts sector, its sub-sectors through projects involving Ukrainian artists, cultural professionals and organisations working in the performing arts sector.

  1. The following specific priorities
  • to contribute to further develop and put into practice the principles of good working conditions and fair remuneration for artists and cultural professionals based on the recommendations of the Report of the OMC group helping the sector to ‘grow’ in a social, human-centred, artistic, economic and environmental sense, with a long-term perspective.
  • to incorporate activities that proactively reach out to people, both performing arts professionals and audiences, from different geographical and socio-economic backgrounds, including the younger generation, in order to ensure their equal access to distribution opportunities and a diverse artistic offer.

This action complements the other initiatives or actions under Creative Europe supporting the performing arts sector within the EU policies and the performing arts sector: the first iteration of Perform Europe over the period 2023-2026 and the European Theatre Initiative. Applicants are encouraged to look for synergies between them.

Applications must present a programme of activities that will develop, implement and maintain sustainable models for cross-border touring and digital distribution in the performing arts sector. They must include at least the 6 following types of activities:

  1. The management and the coordination of the overall project;
  2. The design, implementation and management of open call(s) to select and regrant at least 25 projects to support cross-border touring and digital distribution of performing arts works. These projects will be managed under the provisions of “financial support to third parties” and implemented in the countries participating in the Creative Europe Programme
  3. The development of a programme of support and assistance to the grant recipients including training, mentorship and capacity building;
  4. The maintenance and the development of the Perform Europe digital platform developed under the first iteration of the actionin order to: a. collect data, explore, map and analyse how performing arts works are presented across borders; b. foster networking and matchmaking and bring visibility to performing and distribution opportunities;
  5. The development and the implementation of a communication, dissemination and branding strategy both for the project and for the artists and cultural professionals;
  6. The analysis: gathering and dissemination of data: reports on how to ensure good working conditions and fair remuneration in practice; data on the projects and their results, etc.

 Under this call for proposals, financial support to third parties is essential to address the type of activity.

Call Total Budget

€2.000.000

Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan

The grant will be a lump sum grant. This means that it will reimburse a fixed amount, based on a lump sum or financing not linked to costs. The costs will be reimbursed at the funding rate fixed in the Grant Agreement (90%).

The available call budget is € 2 000 000. Project budget (requested grant amount): maximium € 2 000 000 per project.

It is expected that one project will be funded which will regrant a minimum of 25 projects from all performing arts sub-sectors and disciplines.

At least 70% of the total budget of this call, should be spent in financial support to third parties.

Projects should not normally exceed 24 months.

Thematic Categories

  • Audiovisual sector and Media
  • Culture

Eligibility for Participation

  • Large Enterprises
  • Legal Entities
  • NGOs
  • Non Profit Organisations
  • Private Bodies
  • Semi-governmental organisations
  • State-owned Enterprises

Eligibility For Participation Notes

In order to be eligible, the applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must be legal entities (public or private bodies), established in Creative Europe Participating Countries.

Consortium composition
Proposals must be submitted by a single applicant or by a consortium of at least 3 applicants (beneficiaries; not affiliated entities).

Call Opening Date

30/10/2025

Call Closing Date

15/01/2026

National Contact Point(s)

Organization of European Programs & Cultural Relations
Νenant Μbogntanovitz
Business Planning Coordinator

Ifigenias 27, 2007 Acropolis, Nicosia
Telephone: +357 22 809 806
Email: info@epcr.org.cy

EU Contact Point

For help related to this call, please contact: EACEAPERFORM-EUROPE@ec.europa.eu